Day 0 - The day before

Well it's Tuesday afternoon and the bell has just gone. We need to go home now to pack and drive our families mad with excitement. We are about to travel to Iceland; the land of ice and fire. Over the next 7 days we will keep a blog of all the amazing places we visit and we hope that you get to follow that journey through this site. In short, we will visit Rejkjavik, cross the rift between North America and Eurasia, climb volcanoes, visit and possibly trek across glaciers and outwash plains, witness the eruption of geysirs, bathe in geothermal pools, see the northern lights, sketch basalt columns and stunning coastal features, walk behind rift waterfalls, spoil our visual sense with every variety of waterfall, like Gullfoss below, trek across pillow lava fields and basalt beaches and go caving down a lava tube. Yes, for the physical geographer, Iceland is simply a 'Garden of Eden' and we fully intend to enjoy its bountiful fruit.

Day 1 - the journey to Snæfellsnes PEninsula

It was a long journey but we got there safe and sound and the photo is of the group at evening dinner.

day 2 - Snæfellsnes PEninsula

This morning, we were woken by a majestic sunset. As the red light rolled over the hills of Stykkishólmur and hit our hotel windows with gobsmacking beauty. We slowly rose from our zombie like state and prepared for the journey ahead. We were welcomed to a friendly breakfast, and embarked on the life changing task of making our own lunch.

Before setting off on our journey of enlightment, an informative breifing took place in the hotel lobby. Thora (our beautiful and knowledgable guide) explained the days programme to us in great detail, in order to tickle our taste buds of excitement and set flame to our fiery need for adventure. The bus set off at 9:00 am, for Hhelgafell (holy mountain), the location of a very old Icelandic tombstone, surrounded by superstition. It is said that Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir is buried there, a woman notoriously remembered for controlling, loving, and killing off many men. The tale goes that she then converted to christianity and became a nun. Apparently, the opportunity of being granted a wish was available through the process of: walking counter-clockwise around the grave 3 times, followed by silently climbing the mountainous hill, while prevaling to look back. We were graced with the company of two joyful local sheep dogs, who shared the spectacular views with us.

Our next stop was the rather unusual and refreshing lava fields of kerlingarskard in the south west of the island. Here we got to enjoy the vast fields of ancient lava, that had once been spewed from the ferocious mouth of a nearby scoria crators. The lava in this particular field is estimated to be around 10,000 years old. The only form of vegetation present on the lava fields was a spongy form of moss, creating a soft and playful ground for us to venture over, an indication of the youth of the lava compared to the surrounding geology. On our way to the Djupalonssandur beach (one of Icelands' famous black sand beaches) we had a very short stop for photos. The glacier in our view, complimented by the superb visability and colourful skies, was simply too overwhelmingly jaw dropping to resist. Upon arrival at the black sand beach, our respectful peers and inspirational figures of authority granted us the permission to feast like kings, on our self- made sandwhiches. With our newly found energy we ventured down the path to the beach, where Thorra then informed us of another traditional tale. Five large rocks were waiting for us at the start of the beach in a line, increasing in size and weight as they went. The purpose of these rocks traditionally, was to provide a test for aspiring fisherman as to whether they were strong enough to lift the them, this would then promote them to the title of fisherman, or not. On the beach itself we observed the steep beach profile gradient which was strewn with rusted pieces of ship wreck. We then set sail (figuratively speaking) on the final part of our eclectic journey of spiritual and geographical enrichment: a one and a half hour trek along the coastline, observing cliffs, basalt colums, blow-holes and other such exciting things of geographical importance. Finally, just before our return to the hotel, we stopped briefly in the quaint village fishing of Stykkishólmur and took the opportunity to enjoy the views of the extraordinary sunset from the top of an exposed volcanic chimney. All in all we had a fantastic day and we are thoroughly looking forward to tomorrow...Written by Jonathan, Morgane, Salome and Emily

Day 3 - Þingvellir National park

Hraunfossar

The day started off with missing the sunrise as the clouds obscured the sun, -3 degrees windy chill…. Brrr!We started off with a short trip to the Deildartunguhver Geothermal Spring and Energy plant, stopping quickly for a coffee in Borgarnes. Deildartunguher is famous for being the world's most powerful geothermal pool.Next stop the Hraunfossar waterfalls, whose majestic presences left a deep impression on us. Wow! The waterfalls were absolutely mind-blowing. The crystal clear blue water was rushing through the deep canyon, with the first droplets of snow starting to fall. In the distance the source of the river, the Langjökull Glacier, was the perfect imposing backdrop to complete the picturesque view.

After a one and a half hour bus ride, most of the bus woke up to a winter wonderland. And after an inspiring song from Thora we felt filled with the patriotic, Icelandic spirit. We were in the haert of the majestic Þingvellir National Park. Home to the centuries-old meeting point for the chieftons of Iceland and famed for one of the first active democracies Þingvellir is one vast rift valley. Stood on the Horst section of the rift we peered acrosss the sunken (grabnen) valley which was drowned by the largest lake in Iceland, Þingvallavatn. We wandered by a frozen river until we reached a part known to be the wishing well and we all enjoyed throwing coins in. Returning covered in snow back to the bus, we were excited to experience the next activity.

Caving was fantastic for those more surefooted or adventurous people and after jumping, literally, into our overalls and fitting the helmets onto our heads, we slid along the ice to reach the mouth of the lava tube. Peering into the darkness we saw jagged rocks filling out the opening and feeding out into the abyss ahead. Cautiously we climbed down the rocks into the cave, headlights flashed through the black surroundings revealing stalactites and the strangely shaped ceiling above us. Feeling like spiders some scampered along the rocks while others held back, unsure on the wobbling terrain. Eventually we reached what may have been the centre although most of us were disorientated by the repetitive shapes around us. We all thumped down and found comfy spots on the rocks to listen to the old tales of our guide.

We then headed inland, and on the way to our hotel we stopped of at a geyser site, home to world famous geyser, from which all geysers are named. With our guide Thora filled with excitement, we walked over to the columns of smoke rising from the ground. Watching the active geysers spray their water into the air, we stood transfixed by the natural beauty.

We then took off for our hotel, and called it a day. Over and out: Isabel, Thomas and Charles!

YMCA go caving!

Day 4 - Waterfall Day (foss Dag)

Selijalandsfoss

The morning mist hung in the air as we sleepily stepped onto the bus, excited to see the Geyser in more detail. We arrived full of anticipation and as we stepped out onto the icy ground we heard the splosh and saw the spout shooting 30 metres into the air, steaming out of the erupting geyser. We began to slip and slide down the ice, everyone desperate to catch the perfect photograph. As confidence started to increase, we explored the area climbing up a small, iced hill reaching towards a ladder. After some of us cautiously stepped over we began to bound a clamber up higher until we arrived at the top. Awestruck, we stood still, the mist swept over the fields and geysers below, draping itself along the rolling yellow hills. Afterwards, everyone retreated back to the shop and returned to the bus, ready for our next adventure.

We hurried off the bus and scuttled down to the path alongside the gorge. We had an idilic walk above the gorge all the way to the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall, the first sight was incredible. Then we took possibly the most dangerous but adrenaline pumping totter down to the edge of the waterfall, the ice meant that people were slipping and sliding all over the place adding to the hysteria. After a photo opportunity at the top we embarked on the catastrophic struggle back. Just before the final ascent our lives flashed before us as we scrabbled up the icy slope. We trotted up to the gift shop, used the toilet, had a hot drink and boarded the coach once again.

After a long drive and a fuel stop we arrived at the Eyjafjallajokull museum. Tired eyes were awakened by an in-depth 20 minute film on the direct effects of the eruption. The eruption was an ash eruption causing huge quantities of ash to fall on the local area. Rescue teams helped farmers evacuate from the ash that descended on the villages and farms. Time and huge efforts were required to bring stability back to the region. A short drive then brought us to the beautiful 44 metre high Selijalandsfoss waterfall. We traversed around the back of the waterfall, getting to witness the raw power of the water as it sprayed past in all directions, the best shower of our lives. Once again another scenic journey followed, we arrived at our third waterfall Skogarfoss. The cold did not kill our spirits as we listened to troll stories with interest throughout the trip intervals. Just like every highlight in Iceland Skogarfoss was a magnificent marvel of untouched nature. We climbed up to where the troll had been petrified and had an incredible view of the waterfall after clambering down we got drenched by standing feet away from the awesome waterfall. Then back on the bus to the wool factory in which we all enjoyed a good shop, some more than others. Absolutely exhausted, we fell back into the bus and found ourselves in the best hotel yet, having all thoroughly enjoyed our day!Written by Olivia, Nick and Josie

Day 5 - Svinafellsjokull glacier and Moraine dammed lake and the boat trip

The fox arrives in Iceland

We left the hotel, refreshed after a good nights sleep and boarded the coach. After an hour and a half long bus journey we arrived at the site of skeiōarársandur. The sun had just risen and we had spectacular views of the glacier and the flatlands that lay before us. The part of the bridge left standing after the huge floods in 1996 provided an amazing photograph opportunity, with people clambering to the top in the hope of taking the best picture they could. We marveled over the statistics of the flood- at it's peak it was flowing at 55 thousand meters per second. Then it was back on the coach buzzing with anticipation for our next adventure!Our next stop was the Svinafellsjokull glacier and here we got the opportunity to watch a short documentary about the occurrence of the glacier burst in 1996 and the effects it had on the surrounding areas. After this we embraced a breathtaking climb up the glacier to the Svartfoss waterfall which was a great example of a waterfall with an overhang. We also had the opportunity to taste the fresh glacier water; although Vangelis got a little too excited and decided to just throw himself in. After taking in the views and getting a chance to take and pose for photos, we made our way back down the glacier, a lot quicker than our ascent to the waterfall, and back to the coach. From here we embarked on a 45 minute journey to a glacial lagoon.

We were very lucky with the weather today therefore the colours of the surrounding landscape were especially beautiful, so the first glimpse of the glacial lagoon from the bus was of snow white tips of icebergs peeking out from behind gentle hills which was something quite spectacular. However when we got out into the fresh air and hiked up a gentle hill, the view of the whole lagoon filled with white icebergs tinged either black or blue hues was an awe inspiring scene. We then headed down to the icy lagoon shore for a closer look at the glacial ice chunks scattered across the freezing water surface, there were some great opportunities for snapshots to be taken of the patterns and figures in the ice. We continued along the lagoon shore awed by the sound the ice made when a stone was thrown onto it's surface and thoroughly enjoying smashing, breaking and tasting the 1,500 year old glacial ice on the lagoon. At the point where the lagoon meets the Atlantic Ocean via a river, we crossed a bridge to get to the visitor centre where we awaited a boat trip onto the lagoon. The boat we boarded for the trip was a bus/ boat as it was able to drive both on land and water. We all wrapped up warmly and received bright orange life vests, then the bus/boat set off into the glacial lagoon, it was all very exciting since the light was absolutely stunning and there was even the possibility of seeing some seals. The boat took us close past some huge icebergs which was great for photos. The boat guide briefly explained some things about the glacier which formed this lagoon and then we were allowed to try some of the ice from a small ice chunk; it tasted quite refreshing and sweet. We returned to the visitor centre with the setting sun behind us, sadly without seeing any seals, however the trip was still a fantastic experience. Finally we quickly drove down to the black sandy beaches to see the washed up icebergs, crashing waves and the fading sunset as an inspiring end to our busy day.

Written by Josh, Jemma & Laura.

Day 6 - The Glacier Trek

It was an early start this morning as we headed back south excited for the adventure filled day ahead. We headed to our first stop of the day, a beautiful beach in Reynishverfi, where we gazed at spectacular basalt columns. The slow cooling magma that forms the cliff, contracts as it cools. Lateral contraction forms vertical joints and it thse joits that create the most spectacular hexagonal columns. From the beach we could look out onto the never ending stretch of ocean which reaches across to the Antarctic, a truly breathtaking scene.

Later we experienced an incredible glacier walk with the aid of ice axes. During the exhilarating climb we learnt about a number of characteristics of glaciers including equilibrium lines which show roughly how much the glacier has either increased or decreased each year. We also saw moulins , which are deep holes on the surface of the glaciers. We learnt that they are formed by a rock being heated, which in turns allows te ice around it to melt creating a small hole where the water can move around causing an abrasion effect. That creates a drilling effect driving the rock further into the glacier creating a large hole. Once reaching the top of the glacier the view was spectacular. On the way down from the glacier we had the opportunity to hack away at a small mound of ice in order to try some glacier ice which was surprisingly sweet.

Later on in the evening we took the bus to an earthquake simulator in Hellisheioi. It was a representation of the earthquake in 2008 that hit a 6.6 on the Richter scale. We got a few laughs and screams (especially from the girls) while trying out the simulation, but we got an insight into the dramatic effects that the earthquake had created for the people of Hellisheioi.

At the end of the day we visted Reykjavik. We took to the edge of the city, looking for a panoramic view. We waited for twilight, took some idilic pictures, and headed to the hotel.

Day 7 - The blue lagoon

The highlights of the day will be a visit to the Reykjanes Peninsular to see more geothermal activity including boiling mud and cinder pools. We'll drive through the most fantastic pillow lava fields on route to the iconic bridge that joins the North American Plate to the Eurasian Plate. From there we'll spend 3 hours in the blue lagoon basking in the warm geothermal pools of the blue lagoon before heading back to the city for pizza and a night out during the air waves music festival. On the last day we'll have a brief tour of Reykjavik, before visting the newly opened Viking Museum and then on to the airport for destination Brussels.This final entry was written in advance of day 7 and day 8 because of the 'crazee' schedule and the probability that we won't have time to blog tomorrow night. We hope you have enjoyed the site, 'bles bles tak'.